Water tower at Downshire Hospital

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Cylindrical reinforced concrete water tower of perhaps c.1920, built to serve the then Down Mental Hospital (now Downshire Hospital). The structure is located to the rear (E) of the main block of the hospital and is now almost surrounded by trees. The hospital complex itself is situated to the NE of Ardglass Road, on the SE outskirts of Downpatrick.

The tower itself is roughly 11.5m in height by 4.5m in diameter, and topped with a water tank of roughly 4 x 5m. At the base of the tower there are a series of tall semicircular headed arched niches one of which is an open doorway. Half way up the tower there is an arched ‘window’ opening (filled with metal grill), and at the top of the tower, just under the tank, is a ‘machicolation’ frieze.

The whole structure sits on a raised, grass-covered area, under which there is reservoir.

Historical information

This water tower was constructed to serve the then Down Mental Hospital (now Downshire Hospital) and, (according to Dr Fred Hamond), probably dates from c.1920.

References- Secondary sources
1 R.E. Parkinson, ‘The centenary of the Downshire Hospital’ 1869-1969 (1969)
2 EHS ‘Water tower, Downshire Hospital…’ Report by Dr Fred Hamond, November 1989

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

F. Structural System
G. Innovatory Qualities

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Z. Rarity

Evaluation

Uncommon cylindrical reinforced concrete water tower of perhaps c.1920, built to serve the then Down Mental Hospital (now Downshire Hospital).